FEATURE: Immigration Tango

Good points Ted and MentatDUKE.

The main thing that puts writers at a disadvantage is that film truly is a collaborative process. However, the people who come after the script has been delivered have more control to alter what's on the page whether inadvertently or on purpose and there's no "re-write" available once footage is in the can. So, it becomes it's own thing no matter what. Even if the script is not touched from the last draft turned into a producer...there is so much opportunity for things to change in the physical translation.

And sometimes, the translation makes a mediocre writer look like a friggin' genius...so it does go both ways.

I'm ready for it to go the other way next time...some brilliant director and actors and editor turn my decent script into a friggin' masterpiece.

Then I'll try to stay humble about that outcome as well :)

-M
 
This may come as shocking news but they've cut the theaters down to just 2 for this coming weekend.

E-Walk 13 - Times Square in NYC

and 1 theater in the Phoenix area...not too sure which one.

-Martin
 
I came into this thread late. I wish I would've known because Willowbrook 24 is right up the street from me.

It's still a good accomplishment for your work to make it to screen. One gentleman said it best. The reasons why I picked up a camera was to maintain integrity of the work. So even if your movie bombs, it bombed because of choices that you made. When the writer isn't invited to the set, it's gonna come out different. Fortunately, some writers are held at the highest regard(see the extras on the Brooklyn's Finest DVD. That writer was working for the transit authority before Fuqua asked him to quit. I believe Antwone Fisher was done the same way since he was offered a room to write in by Todd Black.)

You have to make a living with your work so sales can sustain you sometimes but if you're not thickskinned, the pressure of not seeing YOUR story onscreen may rip you apart.

@Ted, I partially agree with music. You can stay in your own world with your creation but somewhere down the line there comes a point where you either get the record deal or you don't. A few people manage to get that first hit that doesn't resemble everything else out there. That's good for their 1st album but bad for other artist's subsequent albums that might not have done well. The record company then asks you to make songs like Lil Wayne's latest or back in the day they wanted you to mimic Prince (good luck). Two years ago they wanted people to sound like Souljah Boy. Now Souljah Boy can't even mimic Souljah Boy.

Tieuel Legacy! Motion
 
I just saw this last night online on the "new releases" google search.... SH!T SON congrats. I flipped out a little... "Holy Crap I've Been following this film." All my friends were like.. "chill man, were downloading something with guns." lol. Congrats.
 
Just saw the trailer for the first time. Films looks great. Script intelligent and funny. Sound's not too hot tho. Just saying. Excellent work. Where can I see the full feature?
 
Zblock said:
I just saw this last night online on the "new releases" google search.... SH!T SON congrats. I flipped out a little... "Holy Crap I've Been following this film." All my friends were like.. "chill man, were downloading something with guns." lol. Congrats.
Click to expand...

That's hilarious...yeah, guns trump RomComs in most settings :)

Thanks!

-Martin
 
Nick Navaro said:
Just saw the trailer for the first time. Films looks great. Script intelligent and funny. Sound's not too hot tho. Just saying. Excellent work. Where can I see the full feature?
Click to expand...

It's out now on DVD so Netflix and the usual spots should have it.

I haven't check On Demand yet but it may be available as a "Same day as DVD" release...my other release Step Off was but I was monitoring that one more closely being the writer and producer...on Immigration Tango I am the writer and was given an Associate Producer credit way after they bought the script :)

-M
 
Okay, this is by no means a major deal but it did give me a warm and fuzzy to know my script will be archived at "The Academy" :)

"July 6, 2011

The Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is interested in acquiring a copy of the screenplay IMMIGRATION TANGO for the permanent Core Collection. The scripts in our collection are made accessible for research purposes only; students, filmmakers, writers and actors are among our regular patrons. As a research library, we do not allow materials to circulate; they may only be studied inside the reading room. Also, we forbid any photocopying of screenplays.

If you can donate a copy to the collection please send it to the address below..."

Does this mean I'm official eligible for a Best Screenplay nomination? :)

I've been on the Grammy Eligible list before...but this would be a first for the Oscars...my chances are probably as good as they were for me getting a Grammy Nomination (which is to say...absolutely NO CHANCE).

-M
 
Hey, Immigration Tango is on the way. Saw the trailers and definitely want to see the film. I already have questions for you about signing over scripts to other directors. I think you might've answered this already but just in case...do you have desires to direct a film that you've written?

I wrote a sitcom pilot in 2004 so I sold myself as a writer. A guy named Will from Simmons Lathan media told me to pick up a camera. Within the next year I realized that directors don't have to have the same vision as the writer. For some people that's disheartening, for others that's a nice check. How do you feel?

TL
 
Martay, I checked out Immigration and will definitely watch it again at some point. I was impressed. The look of the film was really crisp on my TV. As you mentioned before, I am very curious to see the initial script. I liked the situations and I could see someone wanting to purchase a feelgood comedy like that.

It's a success that will probably get you more work. Also great that you got an assoc. prod. credit. The name looks great going across the screen.

TL
 
tieuellegacy said:
Martay, I checked out Immigration and will definitely watch it again at some point. I was impressed. It's a success that will probably get you more work. Also great that you got an assoc. prod. credit. The name looks great going across the screen.

TL
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Thanks!

Definitely felt good getting those credits and especially when a Friend of mine got to see it in a Theater in Times Square way back when it came out. He took a screenshot of both credits for me.

I appreciate you checking it out.

Martin
 
tieuellegacy said:
Hey, Immigration Tango is on the way. Saw the trailers and definitely want to see the film. I already have questions for you about signing over scripts to other directors. I think you might've answered this already but just in case...do you have desires to direct a film that you've written?
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

That was really my main motivation. To be a writer/director. In fact, I wanted to make appearances as well something along the lines of Kevin Smith and Ed Burns with a lean back toward Kevin Smith as I didn't picture myself as a leading man but wanted a good supporting part.

However, the truth is that I have more success in putting the pieces together and producing indie projects and writing them than actually getting a chance to direct.

I plan to direct again in the near future but it's more important to keep getting movies made and distributed in order to create that opportunity for me.

So, my next movie "blackhats" will be a writer/producer thing once again and I assume I'll be a producer one more time before I get to step into the director role once again.

I have directed a few short films and some recent webisodes.

I did direct a feature "Behind the Nine" that found a release and is still available via Netflix.

My next feature I'll have so much more experience that I plan it to be light-years ahead of my last effort.
 
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